So I just read a live report from an OVW TV taping, and the correspondent mentioned casually that this might be Heyman's last week of TV. Anybody know if this is true, and if so, why? Is he being called up for bigger and better things? Or is this like the last time he wrote a consistently innovative and entertaining wrestling show and he's just getting removed for no particular reason?

Oh, yeah, maybe that's what that guy meant by "could be his last week." He really should have clarified that -- or better yet, not said it at all. My apologies to anyone reading this who's done it, but I've noticed that easily 80 to 90 percent of the people who send live recaps into wrestling news sites are total morons. "Sign of the night: Just a Big Loser"

I'm pretty sure that Heyman's contract is about to expire sometime in the near future. Since he is far from pals with Stephanie McMahon and Brian Gerwitz, no one knows if WWE will resign him (presumably as much to keep him from TNA as to keep him booking OVW) or if he'll just be allowed to walk. I'm also pretty sure that I read somewhere (likely via the Observer) that for whatever reason Stephanie Mcmahon doesn't think he's doing a good job with OVW even though everyone else in the free world seems to disagree.

Yeah, Heyman's contract is up, but to be honest, I think he may just stick around in order to be a thorn in Steph's side more than anything.

I did see him briefly at the taping on Wednesday (which by the way, contrary to that OVW live report, did not have a turn-away crowd and was only so-so compared to other Heyman-related OVW programs). He was looking out at the crowd from the crow's nest in the arena, but by the time I told a friend he was there, Heyman was already gone.

From what I've heard from people down here, it's more of the WWE writers not liking OVW, period. They hated Cornette's writing as well, so making fun of Heyman's work on it probably just comes in stride. There's a reason why you rarely see anyone move up to WWE with the characters they developed in OVW.

Originally posted by SnookumFrom what I've heard from people down here, it's more of the WWE writers not liking OVW, period. They hated Cornette's writing as well, so making fun of Heyman's work on it probably just comes in stride. There's a reason why you rarely see anyone move up to WWE with the characters they developed in OVW.

Well, in all fairness, Paul Heyman didn't debut a character that was supposed to be a sea monster either...but they did keep The Boogeyman intact, no? Regardless, the guys who wrote the "Vince McMahon Does JR's Colon Surgery" skit shouldn't develop a superiority complex. About anything. Ever.

Oh well. It was made pretty clear when Heyman went down there that this was only going to be a temporary thing, anyway.

smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated(Holds; July 5, 2005)It's good to see that the WWE isn't backing away from Batista or Cena. There's still some questions lingering over a few of the draft moves they either made or didn't make (Jericho being a prime example), but the stage is set for a solid run to Summerslam that may send the indicator down. The longer Triple H stays away is also a plus...

Meltzer said in this week's Observer that Heyman has been offered a new contract for five years at $500,000 per year. Meltzer said that he expects Heyman to sign. Even though Stephanie hates Heyman and doesn't want him involved with WWE creative, Vince wants to keep him in the company for two reasons:

1) The success of the ECW PPV and DVDs was huge. The One Night Stand PPV did way better than company expectations and is creeping toward 350,000 buys. Meltzer thinks it's an excellent possibility for WWE to do the ECW PPV annually and Heyman's participation is really needed for it's credibility.

and

2) To keep Heyman from going to another promotion and taking talent with expiring contracts with him. Vince doesn't want Heyman working for anyone else and he's willing to pay him $500,000 a year to just book OVW.

(edited by NickBockwinkelFan on 16.12.05 0119)"Well, you can't involve friendship with business. It has to be one or the other. It's either business or friendship, or hit the bricks!"--Life Lessons from Bobby the Brain Heenan WCW Uncensored 2000 preview

Also, it's worth noting that, whether they want to admit it or not, Heyman is much better equipped to train people to enter WWE than Cornette ever was, and Vince knows it.

Cornette got by on reputation, but he kept OVW running with a very Old South booking mentality, that left guys woefully unprepared for the Crash TV Sport Entertainment stuff that they got in WWE. Some of the guys were able to adapt really quickly from that, but it's no wonder WWE had to put so much effort into creative to "remake" these guys after they called them up.

Tonight I wanna ruin my life,I wanna throw it all away,In a spectacular way

Guys definitely learned in OVW under Cornette, but I do see a much better improvement in guys under Heyman. It helps that they cut promos without Cornette in the ring as a life preserver and they seem to do more of their own stuff. Guys like Kenny Bolin did a lot of the promo work in the past.

They also do a lot more WWE-style angles these days as far as backstage segments, etc, not to mention he has people working WWE main event length matches.

I'll bet Heyman probably takes that as it's a fat contract and there's very little handcuffing him creatively in OVW (only thing he can't do is stupid crazy highspot stuff that would injure guys).

Re: Snookum's post, I do find it pretty funny that absolutely nobody was reporting OVW results most weeks before Heyman took over, and now there are 3-4 different people praising the shows to all the big sites.

I really want to see Heyman doing TNA or something on his own, but he'd still turn out great work in OVW, especially since there's enough talent turnover that he can't get into a funk booking the same guys against each other for months. And I'd be glad to see him booking CM Punk for another several months.

Originally posted by BigSteveI'm pretty sure that Heyman's contract is about to expire sometime in the near future. Since he is far from pals with Stephanie McMahon and Brian Gerwitz, no one knows if WWE will resign him (presumably as much to keep him from TNA as to keep him booking OVW) or if he'll just be allowed to walk. I'm also pretty sure that I read somewhere (likely via the Observer) that for whatever reason Stephanie Mcmahon doesn't think he's doing a good job with OVW even though everyone else in the free world seems to disagree.

Its such a smark cliche to bash Stephanie McMahon, but Fuck her man. I look forward to my OVW DVD each month more than any WWE or TNA show in the past 3-4 months. Watching it has actually rejuvinated my interest in wrestling a bit and got me to order some ROH to check it out after guys like McGuinness and Punk showed up in OVDub.

Hmm, somehow I gave the impression that I was trying to put down Heyman there. Didn't mean to if it came off that way. I just meant that the trashing of OVW by the WWE writers didn't just start with Heyman.

I think the shows have been very good since Heyman took over. I also believe Cornette did some great work there, although his work in 2005 was beginning to show a lot of strain, and he certainly needed the time off.

Saying that, I wouldn't be surprised if Cornette returns at some point down the line here. Maybe not tomorrow or even next year, but sometime.

One great move by Heyman was moving all the lifetimers out of the front row and putting in the OVW students instead. The lifetimers, god bless them, just sat there and watched, which doesn't really convey exciting wrestling, even when people like Benoit, Angle and Eddie were in the OVW ring. (BTW, if you've been curious to see who this female wrestler appearing at the houseshows is named Fuji Cakes, she's the tall redhead that's usually dead-center in the front row on the show.)

There's more, but I do have to wonder - if Heyman does take the contract and does stay at OVW, what further changes would he want to make there? I believe up to this point, everyone including Heyman thought of his work there as a short-time gig. Dark lighting? Editing needs help? Wrestlers with ideas that are too long-term for his six months with the show? Well, he's only there for a short-time, so no big deal.

But if he does stay, what would he look to do for the long-term? I think that's probably the most interesting to thikn about if he signs on.

No doubt about it, Fro, there's certainly more reviewers out there now for the show. (Kinda makes us old-timers, I guess, although you've been doing more of them than I have lately.) I've heard at the show that the DVD sales have been through the roof as well. Glad to hear it, as I think everyone in OVW deserves it.

It also could have something to do with the fact that Heyman can be a little creepy, eccentric, and, at his very worst in ECW, just a complete flim flam man. I mean, the guy was demoted the first time for purportedly listening in on Stephanie's phone conversations with the RAW writing staff. I like Heyman and I like his writing, and everything, but the guy DOES come off as just as slimey as anybody else in the business.

Tonight I wanna ruin my life,I wanna throw it all away,In a spectacular way

Originally posted by FroI'll bet Heyman probably takes that as it's a fat contract and there's very little handcuffing him creatively in OVW (only thing he can't do is stupid crazy highspot stuff that would injure guys

Watching Heyman on SD and in the ECW dvd it seemed to me Heyman was ''up'' more when he was pushing the envelope and being challenged and not toeing the company line. How long before he gets bored and decides fat contract or no fat contract he is off to TNA or wherever for that new challenge?

The best news out of all this: if they are ever so lucky, a year or two from now they might get the break they've wanted and wallow away on Velocity like other ROH greats have done for so long (see London, Paul; Kendrick, Brian). :S